News and Events
Building Brighter Tomorrows: Advancing Community Health in 2026 and Beyond
How do we build communities where every child, family, and neighborhood can thrive? What does it take to move beyond awareness and into action on the social and community conditions that shape our health?
These are the guiding questions at the heart of the 2026 Building Brighter Tomorrows Conference, co-hosted by the Institute for the Advancement of Community Health and the Institute for Child Success (ICS). Set to take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Furman University’s Younts Conference Center, this annual event is more than just a gathering, it’s a catalyst for change.
A Conference Designed for Connection, Learning, and Action
The 2026 conference will bring together practitioners, policymakers, researchers, educators, and community leaders from across South Carolina and beyond. Participants will choose from 12 thoughtfully curated breakout sessions, organized into three thematic tracks, each designed to explore innovative, place-based solutions that drive equity and well-being across the lifespan.
From exploring social drivers of health to supporting caregivers and addressing trauma and resilience, the sessions will center local and national perspectives, elevate community-led solutions, and promote cross-sector collaboration.
Meet the Keynote: Risa Wilkerson
We are proud to welcome Risa Wilkerson, Executive Director of Healthy Places by Design, as the keynote speaker for the 2026 conference. Risa will deliver the Desmond P. Kelly Keynote Address, sharing her nationally recognized insights on building healthy, connected communities through collaborative, place-based strategies.
A trusted leader in the healthy communities movement, Risa brings more than 20 years of experience advancing equity and well-being through coaching, consulting, and technical assistance for community-based partnerships across the country. She is the lead author of Socially Connected Communities: Solutions to Social Isolation and a contributor to the Stanford Social Innovation Review through her article A Sense of Belonging.
At Healthy Places by Design, she leads a national learning network focused on reducing social isolation and strengthening the systems that support health and belonging.
Kick Off the Conversation: Reception and Poster Session
As in years past, all registered attendees are invited to join us the evening before the conference, Wednesday, April 15, for a welcome reception and poster session. This gathering offers space to connect with fellow attendees, engage with emerging research, and celebrate the collaborative spirit that drives this work.
What’s Next?
Register for the 2026 Building Brighter Tomorrows Conference! We invite you to explore the full agenda, including curated breakout sessions and a keynote address by Risa Wilkerson, Executive Director of Healthy Places by Design.
Leading up to the event, we’ll also be sharing highlights of Risa’s work and previewing topics featured in this year’s tracks. We hope you’ll join us for this important gathering as we work together to build brighter tomorrows for every community.
Risa Wilkerson, Executive Director, Healthy Places by Design and Keynote Presenter for the 2026 Building Brighter Tomorrows Conference